Duschinsky, Elk Grove tip Samuelson, Maine West
There was no denying that it was Donny Duschinsky's night.
The Elk Grove senior forward scored 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had 2 steals in Elk Grove's 60-50 win over Maine West at Maine South in Class 4A regional play.
The No. 14-seeded Grenadiers (12-16) face the third-seeded host Hawks (24-5) at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
"We played them already," said Duschinsky of the 73-58 loss in Park Ridge Jan. 26. "We know what they bring to the table. It was a lot better playing them then instead of watching them on tape."
As good as Duschinsky's effort was, Maine West's Alex Samuelson just about equaled it. Samuelson scored 27 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
"Samuelson really came to play and made big shots. They really hung with us" said Duschinsky. "I had a good game because my teammates were able to get me the ball in a good position. Because of that I had some good looks at the basket."
"We both carried our teams on our backs," said Samuelson. "It was good to go toe-to-toe in the fourth quarter."
Duschinsky scored 14 of his points in the final frame and Samuelson scored 12.
"The difference tonight was that Elk Grove got more support for Duschinsky," said Warrior coach Erik McNeil. "We would get down about 10 or 12, then come back and cut it to 6 - but then they would come up with a big play. It was a gallant effort by Alex. He's a special player."
Elk Grove's Kevin Zelaya put the Grenadiers ahead for good in the first quarter with a 3, breaking a 5-5 tie. Maine West (9-18) pulled within 1 at 14-13 with 7:07 left in the first half before an 8-0 run started by two baskets by Duschinsky gave the Grens some room.
Leading 30-24 at the break, Elk Grove held Maine West scoreless and led 36-24 before Samuelson scored three baskets to end the quarter with the Warriors trailing 39-30.
With 3:20 left and Elk Grove nursing a 50-44 lead, Duschinsky scored, and Joe Bishoff's putback basket with 2:54 left gave Elk Grove enough cushion.
"There's no doubt Duschinsky had a big night," said Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman. "That putback by Bishoff was big. Maine West came out ready for us. We had beaten them 52-44 in early February. They threw different defenses at us and made us work."